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Thanet clone boyband The Projectones has a Christmas medley released

He’s the face – or faces – of boyband The Projectones. Now multi-faceted singer Ben Hoenes has his Christmas single uploaded.

Ben, 20, quit his old band and created a new one – but instead of auditioning for members he simply cloned himself.

The four Bens together make up The Projectones, an acapella pop group. No issues with creative differences, then.

His latest single is a medley of festive classics performed in glorious harmony.

And not only does Ben appear as The Projectones' four frontmen - he's now the backing singers too.

The band is currently rehearsing for live shows which will take Ben off Youtube and into local venues.

Ben uses digital technology to make clones of himself. SWNS
Ben uses digital technology to make clones of himself. SWNS

Ben, from Thanet, was inspired to form The Projectones after watching people on YouTube doing layered acapella songs.

He said: "I saw the YouTube videos and thought I'd like to take that idea and put it onto a stage - layered acapella shouldn't be limited to online viewing."

Ben then bought a green screen for £70 and, with the help of his parents and tech-whizz brother Fraser, 17, he filmed his first Projectones video, An Introduction to My New Act.

The four Bens together make up The Projectones. SWNS
The four Bens together make up The Projectones. SWNS

He used the programmes After Effect and Final Cut to help stitch the 'band members' together.

During the video, which took a week to make, Ben and his 'band-mates' discuss their new type of musical act in a "loosely scripted" conversation, calling it a "fusion of stage and screen".

'They' go on to perform numerous classics including Temptations' My Girl and The Beach Boys' God Only Knows.

Ben bought a green screen backdrop for £70. SWNS
Ben bought a green screen backdrop for £70. SWNS

According to Ben. Timing is a key part of the performance. He said: “I want to make it feel immersive and the audience to forget they’re watching a screen.

Although Ben, who chose to work on his music instead of go to university, is excited by his new act, he does miss "the fun of being in a band".

He said: "It's definitely lonely - you can't beat that sense of camaraderie. It's way more fun than being a solo artist."

The Bens channel The Beatles. SWNS
The Bens channel The Beatles. SWNS

He added: "My old band don't mind that I've gone solo - as long as I don't steal their gigs."

Ben said his girlfriend Elisabeth, who is at university in Warwick, is happy he's found something he feels passionate about, as before The Projectones came about he was "quite listless".

The musician is going to see if he can make a living from his concept and is hoping to organise some Christmas performances.

Ben, who has classical vocal training, said: "I'm in the midst of recording an hour-and-a-half-long set to take on stage. I'm thinking it will be a trip through the genres, from the Beatles to 70s disco.

He added: "I want to have a big variety of music to appeal to as many people as possible."

Ben is also planning on recreating music videos with his 'band', for example Queen's iconic Bohemian Rhapsody video or A-ha's Take On Me.

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